Gladiator Film and History

This is the first book to analyze Ridley Scott's film Gladiator from historical, cultural, and cinematic perspectives. The first systematic analysis of Ridley Scott's film, Gladiator. Examines the film's presentation of Roman history and culture. Considers its cinematic origins and traditions. Draws out the film's modern social and political overtones. Includes relevant ancient sources in translation.

Martin M. Winkler is Professor of Classics at George Mason University, Virginia, U.S.A. He is the editor, most recently, of Juvenal in English (2001) and Classical Myth and Culture in the Cinema (2001). He has also published articles on Roman literature, the classical tradition, and on classical and medieval culture and mythology in film.

List of Illustrations

vii

Notes on Contributors

ix

Editor's Preface

xi

1 Gladiator from Screenplay to Screen

1

(15)

Jon Solomon

2 Gladiator and the Traditions of Historical Cinema

16

(15)

Martin M. Winkler

3 Gladiator in Historical Perspective

31

(14)

Allen M. Ward

4 The Pedant Goes to Hollywood: The Role of the Academic Consultant

45

(8)

Kathleen M. Coleman

5 Commodus and the Limits of the Roman Empire

53

(20)

Arthur M. Eckstein

6 Gladiators and Blood Sport

73

(14)

David S. Potter

7 Gladiator and the Colosseum: Ambiguities of Spectacle

87

(24)

Martin M. Winkler

8 The Vision of a Fascist Rome in Gladiator

111

(13)

Arthur J. Pomeroy

9 Gladiator and Contemporary American Society

124

(26)

Monica S. Cyrino

10 The Politics of Gladiator

150

(23)

Peter W. Rose

The Major Ancient Sources

173

(32)

Cassius Dio on Commodus

175

(13)

The Augustan History: Commodus

188

(11)

Herodian on the Death of Commodus

199

(4)

Aurelius Victor on Commodus

203

(2)

Chronology: The Roman Empire at the Time of Commodus

205

(2)

FREE SHIPPING

Amazon no longer offers textbook rentals. We do!

Gladiator Film and History

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials